Up early to molest some scrambled eggs on toast, pre- a longish day. Suitably empowered, into the Polo to hoof (I mean drive extremely carefully and responsibly) to Glam. With rain almost certainly snapping at my heels – or the Polo’s, because it does have specially-fitted heels. The A40 is clear. The M4 is pretty clear. I get to Glam before 9.30.

There is no rain but you’d fancy a bowl. And then there is rain. At 10.16, in the Media Centre, it’s hard to tell… so I’m off for a quick meander. Could be a day for *promenading* and time-filling. Back soon. Oh – should probably note to the universe that covers are on and there is that thing ‘the threat of rain’.

Breaking: my perambulation confirms two things. Firstly that TWO of my good mates are working on the ground-staff today – good luck Minky and Ben! – and secondly we have a pitch inspection at 11.15am. At 10.56, with no rain for about 40 minutes, we have a chance. (But there is ‘rain about’).

There are people here, bless ’em. I hope to god (for them and for Glam) that we can get a meaningful lump of play. Masses of work goes in to making these days possible.

OK. We have a start time of 12 noon. And we have been dry for an hour so a start is likely. Toss any minute.

Both teams are out there, going through their heavily-managed drills. (As a coach, I find these interesting: I rob the ideas I like). In other news, lovely to see the brilliant and engaging host/pundit/commentator Lauren Salter, doing the on-field mike-work. (Genuinely think she’s excellent). Her old man is a good Pembrokeshire lad – formerly of St Ishmael’s CC. Lauren smashes it in English and in Welsh. Talking of smashing it, we *really should have play 15 minutes. do note however that the ground-staff have pointedly kept the hover-cover close to the strip…

11.51. It may have brightened, a tad. (*Fatal*). As always, I’ve tried to get as close as possible to a seat with a view straight down the strip. Not quite possible, today, but short of sitting in the scorer’s box.

New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bowl. The Eng team open-up with Lamb; Grewcock; Knight; Capsey. Final dragging-of-the-rope and we should be off: it’s cloudy but ver-ry playable as we stand. 11.57am. (The rope-draggers are loving it; racing around the outfield like mad bumper-car drivers). Here we go. Great conditions to bowl seam in, you would think. Big challenge for Lamb and Grewcock. Kerr – who swings it – will bowl.

There is inswing; Lamb is watchful. Kerr is boldly full – quite rightly. First runs come through extra. Grewcock – a leftie – must see-out the over. She is beaten.

Bree Illing (also a leftie) will bowl from the river. She rather plops it there, and Lamb eases it for four, through cover. Then Lamb edges and is caught. She’s either hugely disappointed or doesn’t think she’s hit it. Slinks off slowly. 7 for 1, England, as Knight joins Grewcock. I can’t see a tellybox but that could well have been a great ball, from Illing, who is bowling with some pace…. but not always with control. Two wides in the over. 9 for 1 off 2.

Kerr gets a look at Grewcock. The England newbie is troubled, but does eventually get one away. Help here, for the bowlers. 11 for 1 off 3.

Illing again a bit loose – Knight crashes her past point. Then another legside wide. New Zealand can’t afford to waste these conditions; the day is likely to be reduced. Kerr is in rhythm: has two fielders out behind square. Good test this, for Knight. She’s passing it, currently: plays late to cut through cover for four. 21 for 1 off 5.

Grewcock looks less comfortable than Knight, but Illing is offering mixed fayre. She does draw a thick edge but it flies safe, to third man. Then the England bat looks better and more confident, against Kerr. She may be settling. (*Fatal*). Her partner strikes another boundary. There is that feeling that the batters may be getting used to conditions. (On *that*, we still have plenty cloud, but the scene is… encouraging). Illing slaps in two bouncers: dealt with. Make that three bouncers – or notably short deliveries. First change: Mair for Kerr, J. Right-arm, quickish.

An appeal, for a caught behind. Went legside. No review. Been saying it for years, but Knight is a very fine player. She looks set – she often does. Meanwhile Grewcock latches onto a full one. Four through point. That will help settle any remaining nerves. 39 for 1 off 9, England. Illing will continue.

At the end of that ten over powerplay, New Zealand may feel they have underachieved a little. They have beaten the bat but both Grewcock and Knight have begun to build. Hands are going through the ball nicely. And these are bowling conditions to die for.

I say this and Mair’s height (and bounce) count. Good length ball is maybe too good (or too lively) for Grewcock. Caught behind. She’s done o-kaaay but will be frustrated to get out now – *did look* more settled. But that’s a more-than-decent ball. Jess Kerr has changed ends. 47 for 2, after 11. Capsey has joined Knight.

We have a little rain. It’s almost imperceptible… but brollies have gone up. Not an immediate threat but things could change rapidly. Conditions &/or a wet ball may have contributed to it, but Mair throws down a highish full-toss, which Capsey carts away powerfully. Next ball we have a review, for lbw, as the same batter plays and misses. She’s okay. Ok and the skies look to have brightened. 56 for 2, off 13.